How To Earn 100k+ United MileagePlus Miles [in 90 Days]

Despite being subject to a few devaluations over the years, United MileagePlus miles still pack a ton of value for both international and domestic award travel.

Since the airline is a part of the Star Alliance, you can redeem miles for award tickets on partners such as Lufthansa, SWISS, and Singapore Airlines. Each of these incredible partners offers great first and business class products, letting you travel the world in style with your hard-earned United MileagePlus miles.

But if you’re new to the MileagePlus program, starting to earn enough miles for a big redemption may seem like a daunting task. Thankfully though, the reality is quite the opposite — there are a ton of easy ways to earn United miles, and to prove it to you, we’ll show you how to earn 100,000+ MileagePlus miles in just 90 days.

We’ll start out by looking at earning with credit cards and then examine other ways to quickly collect miles. But before we dive in, make sure to head to the United website and create a free MileagePlus account if you don’t already have one.

Let’s get started!

Why Would You Want To Earn 100,000 United Miles?

OK, OK, we get it. Before we dive into the guide, we should probably answer 1 burning question: “Why would I want to earn so many miles?!”

As discussed in the intro — and as seen in our guide to the best United MileagePlus redemptions — United miles can be redeemed for amazing first and business class experiences around the globe.

Even cooler, you can use the program’s Excursionist perk to book open-jaw awards AND add a free one-way ticket on any round-trip international award ticket, no matter the class of service.

For example, this means that you could book Chicago (ORD) to London (LHR), book London to Prague (PRG), and then book Prague to Newark (EWR) for the same price as a standard round-trip award ticket between the U.S. and Europe. Plus, you can mix and match airline partners, letting you experience different business class products.

And since Star Alliance — of which United is a member — is the world’s largest airline alliance, the list of options for using your miles is practically endless! You’ll be able to fly all over the U.S. and to hundreds of destinations across the world with United miles. It’s simply a matter of banking those miles as quickly as possible so you can get traveling. Plus, United miles don’t expire, so it’s always worth having some lying around to help you book your next trip.

How To Earn 100,000 United MileagePlus Miles

1. Use Chase Ultimate Rewards Credit Cards

Your best option for earning United miles is actually to earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points. These points instantly transfer to United MileagePlus at a 1:1 ratio, so 100,000 Ultimate Rewards equals 100,000 United miles.

Ultimate Rewards-earning credit cards often come with several bonus categories that can help boost your earning potential — for example, you can earn 3x points per dollar spent on dining and 2x points per dollar spent on travel with the Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card.

Even better, welcome bonuses for these cards often vary between 15,000 and 80,000 points (sometimes, even 100,000 points!) with the premium cards having the higher bonuses. To earn the sign-up bonus, you must meet a minimum spend requirement. Once you do so, points generally post to your account when your statement closes, but it can take up to 8 weeks.

Keep in mind that you must have at least 1 of the premium Ultimate Rewards cards (i.e. 1 with an annual fee) to be able to transfer all your points to your United account. However, you can transfer points from a lower-end card, like the Chase Freedom Unlimited^®, to a premium card, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, and then transfer to United or another travel partner.

Here’s a look at all the best Chase cards that earn Ultimate Rewards:

Recommended Chase Cards (Personal)

POPULAR FIRST CARD

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

U.P. Rating

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards^®.

60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$95

APR

21.49%-28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Chase Sapphire Preferred^® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance. With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
• 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
• 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel worldwide
• $50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through the Chase Travel portal
• 6 months of complimentary Instacart+ (activate by July 31, 2024), plus up to $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024
• Excellent travel and car rental insurance
• 10% annual bonus points
• No foreign transaction fees
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs like United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt

Cons

• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.49%-28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

• Credit Card Reviews
• Credit Cards
• Travel Rewards Credit Cards
• Best Sign Up Bonuses

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

More Reads

• The Chase Sapphire Preferred 80k or 100k Bonus Offer
• Benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred
• Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Score Requirements
• Military Benefits of the Chase Sapphire Preferred
• Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Sapphire Preferred
• Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Reserve
• Amex Gold vs Chase Sapphire Preferred

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

U.P. Rating

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel.

60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$550

APR

22.49%-29.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Excellent (740-850)

Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
• 5x points on airfare booked through Chase Travel^SM
• 3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases
• $300 annual travel credit
• Priority Pass airport lounge access
• TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS credit
• Access to Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
• Rental car elite status with National and Avis

Cons

• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck^®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 22.49%-29.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

• Credit Card Reviews
• Credit Cards
• Travel Rewards Credit Cards
• Best Sign Up Bonuses

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

More Reads

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• Chase Sapphire Reserve Travel Insurance Benefits
• Chase Sapphire Reserve Military Benefits
• Amex Gold vs Chase Sapphire Reserve
• Amex Platinum vs Chase Sapphire Reserve
• Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Reserve

Business owner? See our list of the best Chase business credit cards.

2. Use Chase United Credit Cards

Another easy way to earn United miles is by using a United MileagePlus co-branded credit card. There are both personal and business variants of these cards, and we’ve listed them — alongside their benefits and welcome bonuses — in the table below.

United℠ Explorer Card

U.P. Rating

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

With priority boarding privileges, no foreign transaction fees and more, MileagePlus members will definitely enjoy their partnered card.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

United℠ Explorer Card

With priority boarding privileges, no foreign transaction fees and more, MileagePlus members will definitely enjoy their partnered card.

Welcome Offer

Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

50,000 bonus miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$600

Annual Fee

$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95

APR

21.99% - 28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

You travel United all the time, but you have heard that there could be ways to make your travel experiences even better, including priority boarding, free bags, and more miles.

You should consider the United℠ Explorer Card, because this card does all that and more!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 2x miles per $1 on United purchases, dining purchases (including delivery services), and hotel stays
• 1x mile per $1 on all other purchases
• First checked bag free for you and up to 1 traveling companion
• 25% statement credit on United inflight purchases
• Priority boarding
• Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS statement credit
• 2 United Club 1-time passes each year
• Premier upgrades on award tickets
• Travel and purchase protections

Cons

• $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95 annual fee
• Does not earn transferable rewards

Card Highlights

• Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
• $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $95.
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, hotel stays, and United^® purchases
• Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck^® or NEXUS fee credit
• 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Explorer Card
• Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $140 per roundtrip. Terms Apply.
• Enjoy priority boarding privileges and visit the United Club℠ with 2 one-time passes each year for your anniversary
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.99% - 28.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

• Credit Card Reviews
• Airline Credit Cards
• Travel Rewards Credit Cards

Rewards Center

United MileagePlus Frequent Flyer Program

More Reads

• Benefits of the United Explorer Card
• Best Credit Cards for Airport Lounge Access
• Best Chase United Credit Cards
• Best Credit Cards for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck

United Club℠ Infinite Card

U.P. Rating

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Perfect for frequent United flyers who want premium perks like United Club access and free baggage benefits.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

United Club℠ Infinite Card

Perfect for frequent United flyers who want premium perks like United Club access and free baggage benefits.

Welcome Offer

Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Earn 80,000 bonus miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$960

Annual Fee

$525

APR

21.99% - 28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Excellent (740-850)

Why We Like This Card

The United Club℠ Infinite Card is a premium card designed for the most dedicated of United frequent flyers who are looking for a card that provides the opportunity to earn extra United MileagePlus miles and receive lounge access via a yearly United Club membership.

United frequent flyers will find that the United Club Infinite card provides an enhanced experience on their United flights thanks to the money saved on each flight and the conveniences it provides.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 4x miles per $1 on United purchases
• 2x miles per $1 on travel and dining purchases
• Complimentary United Club membership
• Free first and second checked bag for you and 1 traveling companion
• United Premier Access
• 25% back on United inflight purchases
• Complimentary Premier Upgrades on United-operated award tickets (when available)
• Expanded award availability
• Up to 10,000 Premier Qualifying Points
• $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit
• Trip protections like trip delay insurance, lost and delayed luggage insurance, and rental car insurance
• Shopping protections like return protection, purchase protection, and extended warranty protection
• IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status and a $75 annual credit
• Avis President’s Club elite status
• 10% discount on United Economy Saver Awards within the continental U.S. and Canada

Cons

• $525 annual fee
• Does not earn transferable rewards

Card Highlights

• Earn 80,000 bonus miles after qualifying purchases
• Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United^® purchases
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel and dining
• Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $320 per roundtrip (terms apply) - and Premier Access^® travel services
• 10% United Economy Saver Award discount within the continental U.S. and Canada
• Earn up to 10,000 Premier qualifying points (25 PQP for every $500 you spend on purchases)
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.99% - 28.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

• Credit Card Reviews
• Airline Credit Cards
• Best Sign Up Bonuses

More Reads

• Best Chase United Credit Cards
• Best Credit Cards for United Flyers
• United Club Lounge Locations
• New Benefits for United Club Infinite Card [IHG Elite Status, 10% Off Awards]

United Quest℠ Card

U.P. Rating

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The United Quest card is a fantastic option for United flyers looking to earn more miles and enhance their flights.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

United Quest℠ Card

The United Quest card is a fantastic option for United flyers looking to earn more miles and enhance their flights.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

60,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$720

Annual Fee

$250

APR

21.99% - 28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The newest addition to United’s lineup of cards is the United Quest℠ Card. With it, you can bolster your United MileagePlus miles, thanks to the bonus categories, while enjoying the card’s many perks designed to help save you money on each United flight.

With an annual fee that falls between the United℠ Explorer Card and United Club℠ Infinite Card, the United Quest card makes for a fantastic card option for United frequent flyers.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 3x miles per $1 on United purchases
• 2x miles per $1 spent on travel, dining, and select streaming services
• $125 annual United credit
• 2 5,000-mile anniversary award flight credits
• Free first and second checked bag for you and 1 traveling companion
• Priority boarding
• 25% back on United inflight purchases
• Complimentary Premier Upgrades on United-operated award tickets (when available)
• Expanded award availability
• Up to 3,000 Premier Qualifying Points
• Up to $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit
• Travel and shopping protections including trip delay insurance, lost/delayed luggage insurance, rental car insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty protection

Cons

• Does not earn transferable rewards
• Does not offer airport lounge access
• $250 annual fee

Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus miles and 500 PQP after qualifying purchases
• Earn 3 miles per $1 spent on United^® purchases
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel, dining and select streaming services
• Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $320 per roundtrip (terms apply) - and priority boarding
• Up to a $125 United^® purchase credit and up to 10,000 miles in award flight credits each year (terms apply)
• Earn up to 6,000 Premier qualifying points (25 PQP for every $500 you spend on purchases)
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.99% - 28.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

• Credit Card Reviews
• Airline Credit Cards
• Best Sign Up Bonuses

More Reads

• Best Chase United Credit Cards
• Best Credit Cards for United Flyers

United Gateway℠ Card

U.P. Rating

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The United Gateway card is a great option for those looking to earn more United miles without paying an annual fee.

Learn More(at Chase's secure site)

United Gateway℠ Card

The United Gateway card is a great option for those looking to earn more United miles without paying an annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn 20,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases. Learn more.

20,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$240

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 months; after that, 21.99% - 28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The United Gateway℠ Card is a great option for those looking to earn more United miles without wanting to pay a credit card annual fee. Plus, the card offers other solid benefits like a 25% back on United inflight purchases, purchase protection, and rental car insurance.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 2x miles per $1 on United purchases
• 2x miles per $1 at gas stations and on local transit and commuting, including rideshare services, taxicabs, train tickets, tolls, and mass transit
• 1x mile per $1 on all other purchases
• No annual fee
• 25% back on inflight purchases
• No foreign transaction fees
• Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance
• Rental car insurance
• Purchase protection
• Extended warranty coverage

Cons

• If you are a frequent United flyer, other cards offer more perks
• It does not earn transferable rewards

Card Highlights

• Earn 20,000 bonus miles
• No annual fee
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United^® purchases, at gas stations and on local transit and commuting
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on United^® purchases
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at gas stations, on local transit and commuting
• Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
• 25% back as a statement credit on purchases of food, beverages and Wi-Fi on board United-operated flights and on Club premium drinks when you pay with your Gateway Card
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% Intro APR on Purchases for 12 months; after that, 21.99% - 28.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Card Categories

• Credit Card Reviews
• Airline Credit Cards
• No Annual Fee Cards

More Reads

• Best Chase United Credit Cards
• Best Credit Cards for United Flyers
• Best No-Annual-Fee Credit Cards for Hotel & Airline Benefits

United Club℠ Business Card

U.P. Rating

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The United Club Business card is a great option for frequent United flyers looking for United Club access.

United Club℠ Business Card

The United Club Business card is a great option for frequent United flyers looking for United Club access.

Welcome Offer

Earn 50,000 bonus miles + 1,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP) after $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.

50,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$900

Annual Fee

$450

APR

21.99%–28.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The United Club℠ Business Card is a premium card option for dedicated United loyalists seeking a card that offers complimentary United Club access, helps them earn and retain status, and doesn’t skip on the benefits.

From free checked bags to upgrades on award tickets and the ability to earn Premier qualifying points, there is plenty to the United Club Business card that United flyers are sure to love.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 2x miles per $1 spent on United purchases
• 1.5x miles per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Complimentary United Club membership
• Free checked bags
• Premier Access travel services
• Discount on inflight purchases
• Upgrades on award tickets
• No foreign transaction fees
• Employee cards at no additional cost
• Travel and purchase protections

Cons

• $450 annual fee
• Earning rate for United purchases is poor compared to other United cards

Card Highlights

• Earn 50,000 bonus miles + 1,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP) after $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open
• Earn 2x miles on United purchases
• Earn 1.5x miles on all other purchases
• Employee cards at no additional cost
• United Club membership — up to a $650 value per year. Relax in comfort while waiting for your flight with complimentary beverages, snacks, high-speed Wi-Fi, and more
• Free first and second checked bags for you and a companion, save up to $320 per round-trip
• 25% back on United inflight purchases
• No foreign transaction fees

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.99%–28.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: $0

Card Categories

• Credit Card Reviews
• Airline Credit Cards
• Business Credit Cards

More Reads

• Best Chase Business Credit Cards
• Best Chase United Credit Cards
• Best Credit Cards for United Flyers
• Best Ways To Book United Polaris Business Class Using Points
• Best Ways To Earn United MileagePlus Miles
• Best Ways To Redeem 60,000 United Airlines Miles
• Best Ways To Redeem United MileagePlus Miles
• Best Ways to Earn 100k+ United MileagePlus Miles
• How To Get United Airlines Elite Status
• What Is United MileagePlus Elite Status Worth: Seating & Upgrades

Depending on the card, you may qualify for a sign-up bonus of 30,000 to 50,000 miles after you reach the minimum spending threshold. Periodically, Chase offers elevated sign-up bonuses worth an extra 20,000 to 50,000 miles, for 50,000 to 100,000 miles total, which can provide huge value.

If you’re lucky enough to apply for a card during such a promotion, you can be halfway (or further) to your goal of 100,000 miles within just a few months. Sign up for a personal and business card, and you can meet (or beat) your goal as soon as you spend the required amount (just note that these cards are subject to Chase’s 5/24 rule).

It can take up to 6 to 8 weeks for bonus miles or a statement credit to appear after you meet the spending requirements, but points usually post to your MileagePlus account much sooner than that.

3. Shop Online

You have 2 terrific opportunities to earn United MileagePlus miles for online shopping.

United MileagePlus Shopping Portal

Choose from more than 850 participating retailers (like Apple, Best Buy, Nike, and many others) and make a purchase through the portal to earn 2x to 15x miles per $1 spent, plus occasional bonuses. These miles are on top of the miles or points you earn with your rewards credit card.

Just sign up for an account and link your MileagePlus account. Then, search for your merchant on the United shopping portal and click through its link before you make a purchase. You’ll automatically earn bonus points on your purchases — they usually post to your account within a few weeks. Clicking through these links takes you to the retailer’s normal website and won’t cost you anything extra — making it a no-brainer for purchases you were going to make anyway.

Hot Tip: Learn more about using the United MileagePlus shopping portal in our full guide!

Other Retail Partners

Mercedes-Benz, FTD, and LifeLock are just 3 of the retail partners that offer miles for each purchase. You can view specific details for each of these partners on United’s retail partner website.

4. Earn More Miles In-store With the MileagePlus X App

Prefer brick-and-mortar shopping? Check out the MileagePlus X app!

This app lets you purchase gift cards for a variety of different stores around the U.S., including Panera Bread, Starbucks, Foot Locker, Bed Bath & Beyond, and more. Some online merchants — including Airbnb, eBay, and Uber — also offer gift cards on MileagePlus X.

Each of these merchants offers a different amount of miles per dollar spent. This ranges from 0.5x miles per dollar spent to 5x+ miles per dollar spent, so make sure to check the app for your favorite merchants before you make a purchase.

Better yet, you can stack online MileagePlus X purchases with the United shopping portal. Just click through the shopping portal before using your MileagePlus X gift card at a merchant of your choice.

Hot Tip: Giving digital gift cards for holiday gifts? Buy them through MileagePlus X and earn bonus miles!

You can purchase a gift card in whichever denomination you’d like and you’re given the code immediately; the purchase process takes just a few seconds. This means you can use MileagePlus X gift cards in-store without issue — just purchase the gift card after you know your purchase’s total.

Further, the purchase category codes as the merchant you’re buying the gift card from, NOT as a purchase from United. This means that if you purchase a Panera Bread gift card through MileagePlus X with a credit card that earns bonus miles on dining, you’ll get bonus rewards without issue.

Depending on how much you spend through MileagePlus X, you can make pretty solid progress towards your 100,000-mile bonus over the course of 90 days.

5. Book Hotels Through Rocketmiles or United Hotels

Planning a vacation? Consider booking your hotel through United’s Rocketmiles hotel booking portal.

Rocketmiles has partnered with United Airlines to offer United miles on hotel bookings around the world. You’ll earn miles on each night of your stay, with more expensive hotels generally earning you more miles. As you can see in the screenshot above, 1 night at the Chicago Athletic Association hotel earns 8,000 United miles per night (with a room rate of $409 per night).

The site partners with thousands of hotels worldwide to offer points on hotel bookings. We’ve found that its pricing is usually comparable to booking directly with a hotel, so you might as well earn United miles in the process.

Just note that stays at major hotel chains — think Hyatt, Marriott, and Hilton — will likely not earn hotel points or honor elite status benefits when you book through Rocketmiles. In this case, consider whether earning United miles or hotel points is more worthwhile for your stay.

Further, United runs a promotion for first-time Rocketmiles users. You can earn a 3,000-mile bonus for your first Rocketmiles booking — and this is in addition to the miles you’ll earn on your hotel stay. This points bonus is another nice boost towards your 100,000-mile goal.

Alternatively, you can also book hotel rooms through United Hotels and earn miles.

You’ll earn 2x United miles per $1 spent on hotels booked through this portal, so make sure to compare your earnings to Rocketmiles before you book a stay. Like Rocketmiles, you won’t be able to use elite status perks or earn hotel points when booking through the portal.

Hot Tip: United has a handful of other hotel partners, too — you can view the full list on United’s website.

6. Book Vacation Rentals through Vrbo

United MileagePlus members who book a Vrbo vacation rental through the United/Vrbo portal will earn 3x United miles per $1 spent. MileagePlus miles are only awarded on the cost of the rental amount. Taxes, cleaning fees, and any other service fees or extra charges won’t earn bonus points.

The last name of the primary traveler on the Vrbo booking must match the last name on the United MileagePlus account in order to receive miles.

The bonus miles are not associated with having a United co-branded credit card, so you can pay with any credit card to earn even more rewards.

7. Book Rental Cars

Like many airlines, United has a handful of rental car partners that you can use to earn miles on rental cars. The airline currently partners with Avis and Budget.

United elite members, United co-branded credit card holders, and general United MileagePlus members can earn between 500 and 1,250 miles when you credit Avis and Budget car rentals to your United account. For more info and special discounts for MileagePlus members, book through this link.

Bottom Line: Depending on how often you book rental cars, this can help you earn a bunch of bonus miles towards your 100,000-mile goal. This is especially true if you rent through Avis and Budget and have your rentals reimbursed through work.

8. Switch Home Utility Providers (With Caution)

United partners with a handful of home utility providers around the U.S. When you switch to one of these providers, you’ll generally earn a nice welcome bonus and a set number of United miles per dollar spent on your monthly utility bill.

Here’s a list of the available providers, their welcome bonuses, and areas of service:

• NRG: 12,500 miles after 2 months of active service and 2x miles for every $1 you spend on the supply portion of your electric and natural gas bills each month. Available in parts of Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Also available in all of New Jersey.
• Reliant: 15,000 bonus miles at sign-up and 500 bonus miles each month for 2 years, giving you a total of 27,000 miles over 2 years. Only available in Texas.

There’s no doubt that these are pretty nice welcome bonuses, but keep 1 thing in mind: these utility companies generally charge a premium over standard utility companies. This is because — generally — they piggyback off of local service providers and resell services. In our experience, this isn’t a huge surcharge, but it may outweigh the long-term mileage earning.

With that in mind, we recommend signing up for these services and getting the welcome bonus. Then, switch back to your local utility provider if you find that the higher cost of NRG or Reliant isn’t worth the mileage earning after the welcome bonus.

9. Refinance (or Finance) Your Home With Rocket Mortgage

If you’re looking to refinance your home, you may be able to earn some United miles in the process if you choose to refinance with Rocket Mortgage.

You can receive a 25,000 United mile bonus for closing on a new home or refinancing a home loan with Rocket Mortgage.

To take advantage of this offer, request a quote for your mortgage using this Rocket Mortgage link. As always, be sure to price-compare your Rocket Mortgage loan rate with offerings from other companies — earning a few extra miles should never warrant paying a higher interest rate. The value of your United miles will be worth nothing compared to if you got a lower interest rate through another company.

10. Enroll in United MileagePlus Dining

Like many airlines, United has its own dining program. With this program — dubbed United MileagePlus Dining — you’ll earn bonus United miles when you dine at participating restaurants around the U.S., in addition to miles you earn with your credit card.

You’ll earn up to 5x miles per dollar spent at the restaurants that participate in the MileagePlus Dining program. You’ll earn 3x miles per dollar spent if you opt-in to email notifications from United MileagePlus Dining and 5 miles per dollar spent once you reach VIP status. This status is earned after 11 dines at United MileagePlus Dining restaurants, cafes, or bars. All other members earn 1x mile per dollar spent.

To start earning MileagePlus miles with United MileagePlus Dining, do the following:

1. Navigate to the MileagePlus Dining website.
2. Register a MileagePlus Dining account with your MileagePlus account number.
3. Select “Add a card” in your account and enter the details of any credit or debit card you’d like to use at restaurants — preferably 1 that earns bonus miles on dining.
4. Use the location search at the top to look for restaurants near you or near somewhere you’re traveling.
5. Use the credit card you registered with MileagePlus Dining to pay for purchases at participating restaurants — you’ll earn bonus miles automatically.

Further, United offers a welcome bonus for new United MileagePlus Dining members. As of the time of writing this article, the bonus is 500 miles after performing the following tasks:

• Spend $25 or more at participating restaurant in the first 30 days of signing up
• Review your dining experience via the link to the restaurant review in your account center or benefit confirmation email

Bottom Line: Depending on how much you dine out, you can make nice progress towards your goal of 100,000 United miles. This is especially true if you frequently expense large meals or catering for work — just move a few meetings to participating restaurants and reap the mileage bonus.

11. Buy Broadway Tickets

Do you frequent theater performances in major cities like New York City or Chicago? Consider buying your tickets through United partner Audience Rewards. You can earn 50 to 2,000 miles per ticket — all you have to do is make your purchase through the United Audience Rewards portal.

12. Donate to Find a Cure

Fly to Find a Cure is a program that supports the National Foundation for Cancer Research. Donate to the program, and you’ll receive a certain amount of United miles for every dollar you give. Note that the amount of miles you earn can vary and may require a minimum donation to receive any miles at all. It takes 4 to 6 weeks for these miles to post to your account.

Using Those 100,000+ United MileagePlus Miles

As we’ve mentioned, you have plenty of redemption options with MileagePlus. Here are 3 ideas to think about:

• Fly Semi-private on Boutique Airways: Boutique Airways is a domestic airline whose fleet is comprised entirely of 8-seater aircraft whose award flights start at 13,800 miles. For around 100,000 miles you can reserve most of the plane and enjoy a truly private experience.
• Travel to Africa in Business Class: Want to visit Africa? You can snag a business class ticket for a United-operated flight from the U.S. to Africa for just 70,000 miles, or redeem 88,000 United MileagePlus miles to fly on a Star Alliance carrier.
• Lufthansa First Class: Redeem around 110,000 miles and fly in style on a one-way first class ticket from the U.S. to Europe on Lufthansa. Connecting through Frankfurt allows you to visit the First Class Terminal which is known for its absolutely fabulous airport lounge. You can even take a bath while you wait for your flight!

Final Thoughts

By now, we hope it’s clear how easily you can earn 100,000 United MileagePlus miles in a very short time. For more strategies, read our full guide to earning United miles which includes loads of additional examples and strategies.

Safe travels!